Intellivision Amico - Tommy Tallarico introduction + Q&A

Speaking about Lunar Lander, a clone of it called Asteroid Lander it is included as a "game within a game" on The Dig.

2 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

 

What's idiotic about his statement is that he says I'm "spewing lies".

Ironic isn't it.

But yeah... I guess folks will defend it by saying these girls are 19.  That's fine.  Kinda like when he was defending the rape stuff by stating... "Well... you're not the one actually raping people."

 

That's cool.  Everyone is certainly entitled to their own opinion about what constitutes the merit of rape and I guess those points make it okay for some folks.  And that's fine.  They can defend it all they want... and along with them... I'll keep defending the game industry's right to make that kind of stuff as well.

But for someone to call me a liar and say it doesn't exist... well that's where they cross the line and is hard to take them seriously anymore at that point.  Seems like folks would rather come up with ways to defend it and call me a liar as opposed to just admitting that maybe they were incorrect or that maybe they do look a little "underaged".  If their argument is going to be... these girls are over 19 so Tommy is a liar.  Fine... take that position if you'd like.  Although I never said Nintendo has done anything illegal.  Just more of the same taking me out of context.  Yeah... I think the girls they depict look like... very young girls.  Argue with me all you want.  Again... that's fine.

I don't know though... these girls don't look 19 to me.  They certainly don't sound like adults either.  But who knows... I didn't make the game.  But can we forget about the age thing for a sec.  The real awkwardness in the game for me is when the goal is to rub little girl private parts and then when you rub the naughtiest of places she gets mad and says "STOP!  NOT THERE!"  It's also very creepy when the opening line is "I guess it's okay" (referring to touching them... as if they are being coerced?)  But hey... to each his own.  Just because I particularly don't like it... doesn't mean I won't defend their right to make it.  And if I'm being honest here... in my younger years I probably would have thought this was hilarious.  Me & my friends would play Extreme Beach Volleyball on Xbox and would laugh our asses off.  But I don't know... that seemed a lot more "innocent" than this stuff. 

I've cued it up to just one example.  If you're going to click this link, please make sure your kids are not in the room.

 

 

19?  I guess someone could make that argument. 

 

 

But yeah... lets hear all about how Nintendo always had this kind of stuff and the SNES was just as bad. 

 

🙄

 

People would like to believe that I'm somehow picking on Nintendo or trying to incite "fear mongering".  No... I stated a fact that we won't have things like this on our console.  And also stated that I was surprised to find out that Nintendo didn't censor the same kind of stuff as Sony or Microsoft does.  I didn't make that up as some "fear mongering" tactic.  I actually just read what Nintendo themselves said...

 

 

 

 

But I came to find out that this is actually very common knowledge.  It's not like anything I said was some "breaking story".  All anyone needs to do is Google it or search on YouTube...

 

I guess all of these YouTube channels and publications are "fear mongering" as well?  Oh look... Pat the NES Punk did a story on it also.

 

 

 

Some of our favorite banned user hater ding-a-lings are now saying that Nintendo should sue me.  Really?  Crap... I guess I'll need to get in line behind the thousands of others who have wrote about the facts as well.  With a little luck me & Pat will be in the same cell and eventually become the best of friends.

 

 

So the question folks may want to start asking is...

 

If this stuff exists and its common knowledge... why do certain people feel the need to call me a liar and attack me over it?

 

Do they somehow feel "threatened" by it?  That doesn't make sense.  I'm constantly saying how I don't think Amico is competing with the big 3.  So why would I feel the need to "tear down" another company when I don't even think I'm in competition with them and we have a different audience we're going for.  I feel Amico's competition are board games, card games, recreational sports, etc.  Definitely more than a PS, Xbox or Switch.  I'd say "mobile" is more of a competitor than those 3 as well.

I know the easy answer is to just say... "Because you're CEO of another game console company and you shouldn't put down other consoles."  But I'm not putting them down.  I praise them every interview and will continue to do so.  And it's honest and genuine when I say it.  But it doesn't mean I agree with everything they do and need to LIE about this stuff when asked.  I guess I shouldn't talk about one of the most important things that focus groups love about Amico (all family friendly content)... yeah... I just shouldn't talk about that or mention it ever again... cause y'know... you wouldn't want to upset the fanboys even though there are already thousands of articles written about it.

As a 30+ year industry veteran and someone who has loved video games their entire lives... yeah... I'm gonna stand up for what I believe because I feel the industry has become more about MONEY than anything else.  An industry where weekly meetings are held to try and figure out how to suck as much money out of people as they can.  I'm tired of it.  The Indie devs aren't like this... which is why I love them so much.  So I guess because I'm standing up for what I believe in... I'm gonna take all the bullets and arrows along the way.  That's fine.  2 of my heroes are Martin Luther King Jr. and Muhammad Ali.  Just 2 examples of folks who were taken down for what they believed in.  And Ali... being the greatest fighter ever... even got up after his jail sentence and came back against all odds to be the greatest and most famous person in the world.  I'll never forget my personal and private conversations with him about this.  He truly was "The Greatest". 

 

 

 

 

 

btw... I'm by NO MEANS putting myself anywhere near those guys.  I'm just trying to make a point that I'd rather follow in my heroes footsteps instead of not being true to myself.  I'm also not trying to play the "victim" here.  I understand damn well that when you put yourself out there and "buck the tiger" as they say... you're gonna get lots of blow back.  I get it.  It's fine.  Most folks who have made it to the top of the mountain didn't take the easy way up.  They struggled and fought the entire way.  I've made it to the tops of many mountains in my career and are poised to reach the top of this challenge as well.  Especially with the incredible team of passionate folks making the journey with me.

 

I'd love any of the doubter and/or hater folks to be in my shoes and tell me how they would handle it when I'm asked.  I guess "no comment" is what they would prefer.  They'd prefer I hide the fact that I don't like where the industry is headed and what it's become.  I should stop mentioning Loot Boxes and microtransactions as well.  Don't wanna upset the Mobile Fanboys & Fangirls (is that even a thing?)  

 

Anyway... just my personal thoughts.  Feel free to disagree.  We're all here to have discussions.

 

Thanks.

 

 

To be clear, I do think they are depicting underage porn in these games, despite what the publishers may say their intent is. I know you are not lying about it and someone would have to be blind or in denial to think otherwise. I wasn't sure if it came across that way.

1 hour ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

 

I agree with you 100%.  I love my Switch and the "old" Nintendo would not have allowed this stuff on their console.  The argument that this kind of stuff has always existed on Nintendo is absolutely ludicrous in my opinion.

 

As a point of reference, the great Hiroshi Yamauchi passed away in 2002.  His successor (and person he groomed to take over) was the equally amazing Satoru Iwata.  He unfortunately suddenly passed away in 2015. 

 

I wonder if Yamauchi-san & Iwata-san would have allowed this?  Knowing both of them the way I did... I would say absolutely not.  The timing of Iwata's passing (2015) and the fact that this stuff started showing up after that I think signals that my hunch may have merits.  But I have no idea what the true situation is and why they seemed to go in a different direction with the Switch.  Lots of folks will say that the Nintendo generation (millennials) are now grown up and want more mature content now.  I don't buy that argument at all.  Not only because the data & research we have tells us differently, but also because millennials are in their 30's.  They were adults during the Wii era as well, but you never saw this stuff on the Wii or Wii U.  So I don't personally buy that argument.  The other argument that is discussed is that they were losing a lot of market share after the Wii U disaster and needed to compete with Sony & Microsoft.  Ok... maybe I could see that happening.  I buy into that story more than the "millennials grew up" one.  But again... would this change have happened if Iwata was still alive?  I'm guessing no.  But that's just my personal guess.

 

 

 

 

History tells me they wouldn't allow it. Nintendo changed. Still love the original 1st party stuff but the stance or lack of is why I feel they are not the same company.  Never thought sony or xbox would take that position over Nintendo 

4 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

I also agree about Lunar Lander and keeping it consistent but adding some cool co-op & versus modes too.

Hadn't even thought about co-op / vs. modes. Those could get interesting. Imagine, in a vs. mode game, having a mirrored landscape so the terrain and landing points are the same for each player, but providing bonuses for speed to landing along with the normal bonuses for the size of landing areas. The Karma Engine could even kick in and provide for easier terrain under the losing ship as each round of a game progresses.

16 minutes ago, Swami said:

To be clear, I do think they are depicting underage porn in these games, despite what the publishers may say their intent is. I know you are not lying about it and someone would have to be blind or in denial to think otherwise. I wasn't sure if it came across that way.

Yeah.. yeah... I totally got what you were saying and personally agree. 

Was trying to give folks who disagree the benefit of the doubt.  But I personally think it's a weak argument to make (are the girls 18? or 19?).  They personally look about 12 to me.

7 minutes ago, IntelliMission said:

Speaking about Lunar Lander, a clone of it called Asteroid Lander it is included as a "game within a game" on The Dig.

Ha ha ha! They were struggling hard with the Asteroid Lander in that video! 

Thanks for the info and posting up a gameplay video. 

HOT OFF THE PRESS!!!

For those in the know...

This is HUGE news!

KOCH MEDIA SECURES EXCLUSIVE DISTRIBUTION RIGHTS FOR INTELLIVISION AMICO HARDWARE, GAMES, AND ACCESSORIES

Europe´s leading publishing partner takes over exclusive distribution of full Intellivision Amico™ range in Europe, Australia and New Zealand

Nuremberg – May 26, 2020 – Intellivision Entertainment Europe committed to Europe's leading publishing partner for digital games, games merchandise and accessories for the introduction of the Intellivision Amico family entertainment system, launching October 10, 2020. Koch Media, founded in 1994 with its 1,300 employees at seventeen offices and branches in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, England, France, Italy, Spain, Poland, Australia, Scandinavia and the Benelux, will play a decisive role in the successful launch of the Intellivision Amico video game console and related products.

Koch Media has secured the exclusive retail and online sales rights for all of Europe, Australia, and New Zealand, and will bring the entire Amico product portfolio to the market. In addition to the five different versions of the Amico console – Graphite Black, Glacier White and limited editions Vintage Woodgrain, Galaxy Purple and GTO Red – and the corresponding individual controllers, there will be various game products, Amico Game Shop Cards, console and controller cases, lanyards and overlays.

"We are thrilled that we have been able to sign Koch Media, Europe's leading distributor for the launch of Intellivision Amico. We cannot imagine a better partner,” says Hans Ippisch, President Europe of Intellivision and Managing Director of Intellivision Entertainment Europe GmbH. "Dr. Klemens Kundratitz has been closely following our development since 2018 and presented a convincing concept to get the exclusive distribution rights from Europe, Australia and New Zealand. "

Dr. Klemens Kundratitz, CEO of Koch Media GmbH, adds: “The Amico product range fits perfectly into our broad line-up and further strengthens our position in the family entertainment category. Our colleagues look forward to fully supporting this unique product offering in our local markets with our broad publishing experience, which extends to games as well as hardware and merchandise.”

Intellivision Amico is planned to release in Europe beginning in October. Exact pre-sale and launch dates for the different countries will be announced in the coming months. For more information, please visit www.IntellivisionAmico.com.

Some early nationwide coverage:

http://beta.gamesmarkt.de/details/450848?fbclid=IwAR0j36cADTFyLf3dD0cop9q_3en27XjaA2J0cdnrMRLMEIrhX7qw0QsFuBM

https://www.gameswirtschaft.de/marketing-pr/koch-media-vertrieb-intellivision-amico/?fbclid=IwAR1ejdpihRXxNm2UEJ7cHylj4A2j_KChqOf5NEMepjNRkNv6UU7c8eop9w8

16 minutes ago, IntelliMission said:

Speaking about Lunar Lander, a clone of it called Asteroid Lander it is included as a "game within a game" on The Dig.

I'm pretty sure we'll at least be able to beat that version.

12 minutes ago, AmicoBoise said:

Hadn't even thought about co-op / vs. modes. Those could get interesting. Imagine, in a vs. mode game, having a mirrored landscape so the terrain and landing points are the same for each player, but providing bonuses for speed to landing along with the normal bonuses for the size of landing areas. The Karma Engine could even kick in and provide for easier terrain under the losing ship as each round of a game progresses.

Exactly!!!   Now you're thinking!!

Isn't it cool to ensure that every game on the system has co-op and/or versus!?  Makes the designing phase a lot more interesting and fun!

56 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

 

Hi Steven,

 

I was hoping you would chime in as I know you must be surrounded by this type of stuff living in Japan and probably have a unique and interesting perspective than most folks.

I agree with you and feel that although you are clearly hardcore into gaming... your tastes are more representative of most gamers.

Most of the titles you mentioned are Nintendo first party games as well.  Like I've always said... Nintendo knows it's core audience better than anyone and has ALWAYS delivered the BEST 1st party games IMO. 

That's exactly why I find it a bit perplexing that they would allow some of the garbage they do.  They don't need it.  But hey... who the hell am I to tell Nintendo how they should or shouldn't run their company.  They are massively successful for a reason and should be commended for not only creating the best first party games of all time... but for also bringing back the industry from almost death in the mid 80's.  They will always have a special place in my heart just for that reason alone.  I'm also a HUGE collector of all their early video game systems starting in the 70's and going all the way to the mid 90's (lots of rare stuff Japanese hardware & software in my collection!).

But alas... as much as I love them, I personally don't like some of the crap they allow on the Switch.  I also don't like the e-shop or all of the awful .14 cent shovelware games that look a lot worse than any "mobile" or "Amico" game I've ever seen.

 

But again... just my opinion.  Not meant to be "fear mongering" in any way.

 

This post that I've just written is going to get some interesting responses.

Yeah, I wasn't going to mention it at first since I figure everyone here might mob me, but I think Mary Skelter might deserve a mention, provided we do it respectfully. That reason is partially this:

Yep, there it is, sitting on my desk, and yes, I have finished both games. Took damn near 200 hours, too. By the way, the Mentos can holds Switch games and it's very good at it, too!

Am I going to defend it? Partially. Is it lacking taste at times? Yes, absolutely. Do I agree with your thoughts on them and wish all of that crap wasn't in the game? Yes, actually, I do. The PS4 version was censored, but only in China.

However, aside from the crap that all of us, myself included, wish wasn't in the game, I found them to be surprisingly thoughtful and the writing was not only much better than I thought it would be, but somehow ended up perhaps being one of the better stories I've seen in any game, and maybe one of my favourite stories that I've seen in a game in a long time. I never would have thought that I'd say that, but there it is. It's not perfect or anything, but it was good enough for me to enjoy most of it. MOST of it.

These types of things sell in Japan to the hardcore audience, but ONLY to the most hardcore types. If you watch the sales charts, it is possible that it didn't appear at all (although I can easily go find out) and I guarantee that it didn't sell very many copies. Most people who don't understand how low-budget games work would see the number and absolutely, and incorrectly, call it a commercial failure, but if you look at it as the super-low budget title that it is, it doesn't need to sell 20 trillion copies just to break even like Activision's or EA's huge games do. Most of the budget goes into the voice acting, since they usually get very famous voice actors (unlike in the USA, voice acting here is highly respected and people will buy games just for the voice cast sometimes), and the music, which, in the case of Mary Skelter, is actually very good, and maybe actually worthy of buying the OST. These types of games often sell better abroad than domestically, as well.

I'm sure you know that Amazon is a great way to track physical game sales, and if you check Amazon Japan you'll see that what sells physical copies is actually pretty similar to what's popular in the US. As for digital games, I just checked the Japanese eshop and it has many of the same titles in addition to digital-only games. My PS4 is not currently connected and I don't have my Japanese PSN account on my PS4, just my PS3, so I can't really check that right now.

Now, like you said, it's up to Nintendo to do whatever the hell they want with their system. I guess that super violent game Hatred is getting a Switch release, as well, and I do believe that got the AO rating originally. Why it's getting a port to Switch is unknown to me, and I heard that it wasn't very good anyway. If Nintendo's okay with it, that's on them and their image in the minds of the consumers will reflect that. Would not be surprised if they are still trying to make up for the Wii U by allowing anything to their system in order to drive hardware, and, consequently, software sales.

By the way, since someone brought it up several pages ago, look what's currently #5 on Amazon Japan Switch titles: that 51 games thingy.

https://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/bestsellers/videogames/4731378051/ref=pd_zg_hrsr_videogames

Anyway, got stuff to do and am now way behind schedule. Will be back later (probably tomorrow or very late tonight) if you want more Japanese market discussion.

1 hour ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

And the worldwide software sales data for those titles back that up (you're missing Mario Kart in there though). 

Most of the titles you mentioned are Nintendo first party games as well.  Like I've always said... Nintendo knows it's core audience better than anyone and has ALWAYS delivered the BEST 1st party games IMO.  I was even honored enough to work on one of them!  Metroid Prime.  I worked closely with my longtime friend Miyamoto-san for almost 5 years on that one!

 

 

That's exactly why I find it a bit perplexing that Nintendo as a company would allow some of the garbage they do.  They don't need it in order to be successful.  But hey... who the hell am I to tell Nintendo how they should or shouldn't run their company.  They are massively successful for a reason and should be commended for not only creating the best first party games of all time... but for also bringing back the industry from the brink of death in the mid 80's.  They will always have a special place in my heart just for that reason alone.  I'm also a HUGE collector of all their early video game systems starting in the 70's and going all the way to the mid 90's (lots of rare stuff Japanese hardware & software in my collection!).

 

But alas... as much as I love them, I personally don't like some of the crap they currently are allowing on the Switch.  And it has NOTHING to do with Intellivision.  ZERO!  (another dumb misinformed "theory" that some folks are trying to build). I also don't like the Nintendo e-shop or all of the awful .14 cent shovelware games that look a lot worse than any "mobile" or "Amico" game I've ever seen.

 

But again... just my opinion.  Not meant to be "fear mongering" in any way.

Folks may not know or remember that I would always get crap from Nintendo fans on my TV shows when I wouldn't give their games a perfect 10.  Of course the Xbox fanboys hated me when I would say something against a certain one of their games and the Sony fans also.  Oh, and lets not forget the PC Master Race.  They could be particularly douchey as well.  Starting to see a pattern?  And that was over 25 years ago! 

 

So none of this immature fanboy backlash is new to me. 

Missed your edit. Yeah, none of my friends are currently playing Mario Kart. A few of them, as well as myself, do have it, though none of us really play it.

And you know what else I missed and now have to edit in here? Metroid Prime. Love that damn game. Exactly what stuff did you do for that one? I am very sad that every time it gets rereleased even more of the sequence breaks in the original Gamecube version get removed.

Also, on shovelware... this is one of the biggest problems that I have with both Steam and the Switch eshop. The biggest problem with the eshop, though, is that I feel that the thing is on the verge of crashing every time I use it since it's so unresponsive.

42 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Yeah.. yeah... I totally got what you were saying and personally agree. 

 

Was trying to give folks who disagree the benefit of the doubt.  But I personally think it's a weak argument to make (are the girls 18? or 19?).  They personally look about 12 to me.

 

I agree. If anything, it tends to go in the opposite direction. A lot of 13-15 year old girls out there look like they could be 18 or 19.

18 minutes ago, Steven Pendleton said:

This post that I've just written is going to get some interesting responses.

 

Yeah, I wasn't going to mention it at first since I figure everyone here might mob me, but I think Mary Skelter might deserve a mention, provided we do it respectfully. That reason is partially this:

 

 

Yep, there it is, sitting on my desk, and yes, I have finished both games. Took damn near 200 hours, too. By the way, the Mentos can holds Switch games and it's very good at it, too!

Hahahaha!  That's pretty funny actually.  Definitely the right person to be having a discussion with then!

18 minutes ago, Steven Pendleton said:

 

Am I going to defend it? Partially. Is it lacking taste at times? Yes, absolutely. Do I agree with your thoughts on them and wish all of that crap wasn't in the game? Yes, actually, I do. The PS4 version was censored, but only in China.

It was on the Sony censored list in one of the U.S. videos I watched so I'm not sure if it's just censored in China or in the U.S. as well.  Is it even available for sale in the U.S. though?  (forget the censored part).

I'm pretty sure it's not!  But I could be wrong.  The only version I see on Amazon is the Japanese import:
https://www.amazon.com/Compile-Kangokutou-Skelter-PLAYSTATION-JAPANESE-4/dp/B07BB7B9LK/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3IRERI4BKAGDU&dchild=1&keywords=mary+skelter+2+ps4&qid=1590484779&sprefix=mary+skelter+2%2Caps%2C202&sr=8-1

Maybe you can digitally download it in the U.S.?  Not sure.

Sometimes hard to find up to date info as a lot of articles from last year say that it's not even coming to the PS4 in the U.S.:

https://www.vgchartz.com/article/438371/mary-skelter-2-coming-west-for-switch-ps4-version-skipped/

18 minutes ago, Steven Pendleton said:

 

However, aside from the crap that all of us, myself included, wish wasn't in the game, I found them to be surprisingly thoughtful and the writing was not only much better than I thought it would be, but somehow ended up perhaps being one of the better stories I've seen in any game, and maybe one of my favourite stories that I've seen in a game in a long time. I never would have thought that I'd say that, but there it is. It's not perfect or anything, but it was good enough for me to enjoy most of it. MOST of it.

Interesting.  And I don't doubt you.  It seems strange that such a well written game would need to put the other crap in there.

18 minutes ago, Steven Pendleton said:

 

These types of things sell in Japan to the hardcore audience, but ONLY to the most hardcore types. If you watch the sales charts, it is possible that it didn't appear at all (although I can easily go find out) and I guarantee that it didn't sell very many copies. Most people who don't understand how low-budget games work would see the number and absolutely, and incorrectly, call it a commercial failure, but if you look at it as the super-low budget title that it is, it doesn't need to sell 20 trillion copies just to break even like Activision's or EA's huge games do. Most of the budget goes into the voice acting, since they usually get very famous voice actors (unlike in the USA, voice acting here is highly respected and people will buy games just for the voice cast sometimes), and the music, which, in the case of Mary Skelter, is actually very good, and maybe actually worthy of buying the OST. These types of games often sell better abroad than domestically, as well.

Agreed. 

18 minutes ago, Steven Pendleton said:

Now, like you said, it's up to Nintendo to do whatever the hell they want with their system. I guess that super violent game Hatred is getting a Switch release, as well, and I do believe that got the AO rating originally. Why it's getting a port to Switch is unknown to me, and I heard that it wasn't very good anyway. If Nintendo's okay with it, that's on them and their image in the minds of the consumers will reflect that. Would not be surprised if they are still trying to make up for the Wii U by allowing anything to their system in order to drive hardware, and, consequently, software sales.

I agree with this as well.

Thanks for your perspectives!

13 minutes ago, Steven Pendleton said:

Missed your edit. Yeah, none of my friends are currently playing Mario Kart. A few of them, as well as myself, do have it, though none of us really play it.

 

And you know what else I missed and now have to edit in here? Metroid Prime. Love that damn game. Exactly what stuff did you do for that one? I am very sad that every time it gets rereleased even more of the sequence breaks in the original Gamecube version get removed.

 

Also, on shovelware... this is one of the biggest problems that I have with both Steam and the Switch eshop. The biggest problem with the eshop, though, is that I feel that the thing is on the verge of crashing every time I use it since it's so unresponsive.

Agree again with everything you said.

For Metroid Prime I did a lot of the original sound design work.  Including the weapon sounds, visor stuff, cinematic stuff, etc.

Interesting story about the credits if you're interested...

https://metroid.fandom.com/wiki/Tommy_Tallarico

32 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

 

Hahahaha!  That's pretty funny actually.  Definitely the right person to be having a discussion with then!

 

 

 

 

It was on the Sony censored list in one of the U.S. videos I watched so I'm not sure if it's just censored in China or in the U.S. as well.  Is it even available for sale in the U.S. though?  (forget the censored part).

 

I'm pretty sure it's not!  But I could be wrong.  The only version I see on Amazon is the Japanese import:
https://www.amazon.com/Compile-Kangokutou-Skelter-PLAYSTATION-JAPANESE-4/dp/B07BB7B9LK/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3IRERI4BKAGDU&dchild=1&keywords=mary+skelter+2+ps4&qid=1590484779&sprefix=mary+skelter+2%2Caps%2C202&sr=8-1

 

Maybe you can digitally download it in the U.S.?  Not sure.

 

Sometimes hard to find up to date info as a lot of articles from last year say that it's not even coming to the PS4 in the U.S.:

 

 

 

https://www.vgchartz.com/article/438371/mary-skelter-2-coming-west-for-switch-ps4-version-skipped/

 

 

 

Interesting.  And I don't doubt you.  It seems strange that such a well written game would need to put the other crap in there.

 

 

 

 

Agreed. 

 

 

 

I agree with this as well.

 

 

Thanks for your perspectives!

 

 

Yeah, PS4 version is Japan/China only. Maybe Korea as well. Apparently the Chinese version's censoring is why the PS4 version never got released in the USA, and I guess it actually caused some game-breaking glitches that never got fixed, as well, since they removed stuff in a patch, not on the actual retail build. I do not know if they bothered to fix the glitches or what those glitches are, but I believe they abandoned it in its broken state.

Still, the general thoughtfulness of the whole series' story was extremely surprising and generally well written, and the music was generally very good, although it has a few rough spots in a few places. As for the side events... yeah, let's say not all of those were needed and leave it like that. I don't have kids, but if I did, would I give it to them? Definitely not. Actually, I'd give them a Sega Genesis, or, even better, a Japanese Mega Drive before anything else. PC Engine actually has lots of 18+ games, as well, now that I think about it. Lots of those need a special unofficial System Card to run, from what I understand, so it's not like you can play those on your regular PC Engine with the Super System Card or one of the Arcade Card variants.

Sorry, but as I have not actually played the Amico, I can't say how good its library is yet, of course. Looking forward to changing that, though! Obviously, you can't fully judge games that are not released unless you are involved in the development somehow or are part of the press. Seems many people can't understand that for whatever reason...

31 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

 

 

Agree again with everything you said.

 

For Metroid Prime I did a lot of the original sound design work.  Including the weapon sounds, visor stuff, cinematic stuff, etc.

 

Interesting story about the credits if you're interested...

 

https://metroid.fandom.com/wiki/Tommy_Tallarico

 

 

Interesting... I've heard various things about your involvement in Metroid Prime (fired, let go because they didn't need you even though they thought they did, etc.) and I kept forgetting to bring it up before. Maybe if they release it again they'll actually get you in the credits, but I have a feeling that the credits are just a copy/paste job + the names of the team who did the port.

Anyway, got to work on crap now before I fall too far behind and I break my promise to my CEO.

4 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

I'm personally more like you and am loving Moon Patrol but don't see myself playing Farkle as much.  BUT... a lot of folks will feel the exact opposite of us as well!

Like me, I’m more excited for the “board/dice/card” games than the arcade games, but the co-op and vs modes on for example Moon patrol has really got me intrigued/interested of that category as well (as I’m not interested at all in any single player gaming). 

Now that Tommy mentioned Westworld...

- Has anyone here watched the old Westworld movie?

- Does everyone agree that the movie was almost as good as the first season of the series?

- Why there aren't any Westworld video games?

- How could the series directors destroy what they had created in the first two seasons with such a disappointing third season, where the classic science fiction theme is abandoned for a predictable espionage theme?

- Am I the only one who believes that the series need more silence? The music is good, but it never stops. I also hate the Paint it Black/Black Hole Sun/etc. violin covers.

1 minute ago, IntelliMission said:

Now that Tommy mentioned Westworld...

 

- Has anyone here watched the old Westworld movie?

 

- Does everyone agree that the movie was almost as good as the first season of the series?

 

- Why there aren't any Westworld video games?

 

- How could the series directors destroy what they had created in the first two seasons with such a disappointing third season, where the classic science fiction theme is abandoned for a predictable espionage theme?

 

- Am I the only one who believes that the series need more silence? The music is good, but it never stops. I also hate the Paint it Black/Black Hole Sun/etc. violin covers.

I've actually been thinking about watching the movie since it was done by Michael Crichton, and I've read 3 of his books. I've been meaning to go read more of his stuff since it's all apparently similar in style and maybe watch that movie, as well.

I wish that we'd get accurate adaptations of his 2 Jurassic Park novels since both are quite different from the movies. The Lost World is actually almost 100% completely different, and it more or less has to be, given the stuff that happens in the Jurassic Park novel that didn't happen in the movie. Both books are very highly recommended. The science is long outdated now, of course, and I guess The Lost World has some stuff that wasn't accurate even at the time, but both are still very nice to read.

Apparently there is/was a Westworld mobile game, though I'm not sure of the details.

5 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

 

 

Yeah... you're totally correct.  We're ensuring we have a really good balance for everyone.  I'm personally more like you and am loving Moon Patrol but don't see myself playing Farkle as much.  BUT... a lot of folks will feel the exact opposite of us as well!  They'll LOVE Farkle and may buy the system just for that and never at all be interested in Moon Patrol. 

 

I also agree about Lunar Lander and keeping it consistent but adding some cool co-op & versus modes too.

 

Will be fun to start working on that one next year.

 

 

The interesting thing is that Farkle will probably get played the most on my Amico when the whole family is playing.  In answer to the question "What have you been playing?" well, I've been playing Farkle all weekend. Every time my family gets together, it seems to be the go-to game that everyone enjoys playing.  My mom and dad enjoy playing it just as much as my daughter does.  It's fun to see how different people approach the game. My daughter and mom have a "slow and steady wins the race" mentality, while I am more of a "go big or go home" kind of player.  

If it's just me playing, then I'm sure it will be more Moon Patrol and Night Stalker, but when the whole family is together, I foresee a lot of Farkle in the future. 

47 minutes ago, IntelliMission said:

Now that Tommy mentioned Westworld...

 

- Has anyone here watched the old Westworld movie?

 

- Does everyone agree that the movie was almost as good as the first season of the series?

 

- Why there aren't any Westworld video games?

 

- How could the series directors destroy what they had created in the first two seasons with such a disappointing third season, where the classic science fiction theme is abandoned for a predictable espionage theme?

 

- Am I the only one who believes that the series need more silence? The music is good, but it never stops. I also hate the Paint it Black/Black Hole Sun/etc. violin covers.

Yes, I've seen the old Westworld movie.  It was pretty good for it's time.  Did you know there's a hack on Atari 2600 of Westworld but it's a Berzerk hack set in Westworld?

3 hours ago, Steven Pendleton said:

Interesting... I've heard various things about your involvement in Metroid Prime (fired, let go because they didn't need you even though they thought they did, etc.) and I kept forgetting to bring it up before.

Yeah... what's funny about those "rumors" was they were spread by folks who got upset because I only gave the game an 8 out of 10 on my TV show.  They said that I must have gotten fired off the project (hence my name not being in the final credits) and that I was getting my revenge by giving it such a low score.

Complete lunacy.

See... I've been dealing with this kind of stuff for 25+ years.  You think they dislike me now?  You should have seen it when I was on TV doing 2 half hour shows every week for 12 years.

4 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Yeah... what's funny about those "rumors" was they were spread by folks who got upset because I only gave the game an 8 out of 10 on my TV show.  They said that I must have gotten fired off the project (hence my name not being in the final credits) and that I was getting my revenge by giving it such a low score.

 

Complete lunacy.

 

See... I've been dealing with this kind of stuff for 25+ years.  You think they dislike me now?  You should have seen it when I was on TV doing 2 half hour shows every week for 12 years.

 

 

 

Yes, the original angry video game nerd. Honestly I'd say 8 is a good score for Metroid Prime. It's got a few big problems, like that hunt for the keys near the end, but it's still a great game.

Didn't like Metroid Prime 2 at all. I bought it on launch day and I finally forced myself to finish it either last summer or 2 years ago. Yes, I had the damn thing for a decade and a half before finishing it. Naturally, I was using the Wii version on my Wii U. Those motion controls are actually very well done. Metroid Prime 3's motion controls are super annoying, though, and I have not played beyond the first 2 or 3 hours since I like that game even less than Prime 2.

And by the way, we didn't have your TV show in Alaska, so I never saw it. There were lots of things we didn't have, though, like Best Buy, Target, Arby's, Carl's Jr. and A&W (the restaurant, not the root beer. We did have the root beer).

Eventually we got all of that stuff, though.

1 hour ago, IntelliMission said:

Now that Tommy mentioned Westworld...

 

- Has anyone here watched the old Westworld movie?

Yul Brynner!  It was tough to watch.  The acting was pretty bad overall.

You can't blame Yul though... he was playing a robot.  The others though... no excuse.  

  I

The real question is...

Did you ever see the follow up to THAT version called:  Futureworld!

It's just as bad. 

The reason I don't give these movies much respect in regards to acting is that The Godfather came out before BOTH these movies.

Quote

 

- Does everyone agree that the movie was almost as good as the first season of the series?

See above.  

Not for me personally.

Quote

 

- Why there aren't any Westworld video games?

If you think about it... you could say that the Red Dead series is just like it!  You're killing enemies... it's just in a virtual world instead of the real one. 

Quote

 

- How could the series directors destroy what they had created in the first two seasons with such a disappointing third season, where the classic science fiction theme is abandoned for a predictable espionage theme?

The thing that bugs me the most about it is that at this point they've literally replaced EVERY human with a robot at this point.  Predicable and boring.

Quote

 

- Am I the only one who believes that the series need more silence? The music is good, but it never stops. I also hate the Paint it Black/Black Hole Sun/etc. violin covers.

Hahahaa...  I totally respect and see what you're saying.   I actually liked the modern tunes done in the old west style.  Thought it was kinda cool (don't hate me).

46 minutes ago, vongruetz said:

The interesting thing is that Farkle will probably get played the most on my Amico when the whole family is playing.  In answer to the question "What have you been playing?" well, I've been playing Farkle all weekend. Every time my family gets together, it seems to be the go-to game that everyone enjoys playing.  My mom and dad enjoy playing it just as much as my daughter does.  It's fun to see how different people approach the game. My daughter and mom have a "slow and steady wins the race" mentality, while I am more of a "go big or go home" kind of player.  

 

If it's just me playing, then I'm sure it will be more Moon Patrol and Night Stalker, but when the whole family is together, I foresee a lot of Farkle in the future. 

I'm happy to hear this.  Thanks for sharing.  Yeah... I'm not a Farkle player at all... but there is no denying how popular it is worldwide.  Seemed like an easy choice for a pack-in (no license, great multiplayer and some WOW factor with the controller screen being able to shake and throw the dice).

Will be interesting to see if you can get your mom and/or dad on to Moon Patrol with you.